The Providence College men's basketball team was defeated at Connecticut, 63-59 in overtime, in its final game of the regular season on Sat., March 9 in Storrs, Conn. Junior Bryce Cotton (Tucson, Ariz.) scored nine points in the game, and became the fifth Friar all-time to finish as the BIG EAST scoring leader. He averaged 18.3 ppg in league action this season.

Providence went down by as many as 10 points in the first half, but the Friars came out of the lockerroom at halftime reenergized, scoring five quick points to cut the Huskies lead to one (32-31). Junior Bryce Cotton (Tucson, Ariz.) paced the Friars in the first half with seven points. The Huskies were led by forward DeAndre Daniels with 12 first half points.

A few minutes into the second half a made free throw from freshman Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) tied the game at 34. Dunn's jumper moments after gave the Friars their first lead of the game (36-34). Both teams battled while the Friars held the lead until a pair of free throws from sophomore Ryan Boatright tied the game with 10:24 left on the clock (45-45). The remainder of the second half yielded four ties and led to the second overtime game the Friars and the Huskies have played this season.

At the end of regulation, Providence was paced by junior Kadeem Batts (Powder Springs, Ga.) who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It was Batts' fifth double-double of the season. Daniels led the Huskies with 19 points.

The Huskies outscored PC, 8-4 in overtime for the win. Boatright finished with a game-high 23 points, including five points in overtime.

The Friars will enter the BIG EAST Tournament as the No. 8 seed and will play against Cincinnati or St. John's on Wed., March 13 at noon at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. in their first game of the BIG EAST Championship.